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Guidebook Riverside Drive Local Historic District Riverside Drive Local Historic District Guidelines I. THE ENVIRONMENT A. THE DISTRICT ENVIRONMENT The district is characterized by its proximity to downtown South Bend and by its intimate rela- tionship with the St. Joseph River. The district encompasses the seven blocks of Riverside Drive which follow the river front from Lafayette Street to the east to Angela Boulevard to the west. For a portion of that route, there is a row of houses facing the river from across Riverside Drive, while in another portion, residence are situated on both sides of the street, with some properties abutting the river and others located across the drive. The district also includes homes located on Hudson and Golden Streets, between the drive and the alley defining the southern boundary of the district, as well as three separate park areas which lie adjacent to the river's edge: a portion of Leeper Park to the East; all of Shetterly Park in the middle and a portion of Brownfield Part to. the West. Required Distinctive existing features such as parks, gardens, streetlights, fences, signs, benches, walkways streets alleys and building setbacks shall be retained. New plant materials, fencing, walkways, streetlights, signs and benches shall be compatible with the character of the neighborhood in size, scale, material and color. Street lighting should be maintained at levels recommended by the Illumination Engineering Society. Light sources must have spectral distribution in all color ranges. Sources and light posts should be uniform throughout the District. Lamp fixtures and supporting posts must be similar in proportion, scale and detail to existing historic lamps (see appendix) or a suitable replacement which closely duplicates the standard in size, shape, style and appearance, i.e., Herwig Lighting Company standard or similar. Streetlights should be placed so that adequate illumination is afforded all sections of the public sidewalks. Tree and landscaping elements that must be removed for one reason or another shall be immediately replaced by suitable flora. The river front neighborhood character of the district shall be retained. Recommended Whenever possible, the original features should be restored. Plant materials and trees in dose prox- imity to buildings, sidewalks or streets that are causing deterioration to those elements should be removed. If erosion control efforts become necessary to preserve the riverbank, they should involve processes and materials consistent with the natural beauty of the banks. Large, deep-rooted trees and shrubs as well as fast spreading ground cover should be used when planting for erosion con- trol. As much natural vegetation as possible should be preserved. If large shrubs become unsight- ly, they should be cut back and allowed to rejuvenate. Dead and diseased material should be selectively removed. Do not dump leaves and grass clippings on planted slopes as this practice will kill much of the low ground cover and leave soil more susceptible to erosion. When replacement of Page 24